Coming across ‘If I Be Damned’, we couldn’t help but feel rather intimidated by its intense, haunting character. Built over an intoxicating mixture of euphoria and gloominess, the single reveals a listening experience that’s urgent and bold. Yet, among such sombre and hard-hitting livery, the record also finds time for intriguing grooves and unmatched charisma. It’s the perfect balance between lyrical honesty and uplifting sonic charge. In fact, at first listen, we didn’t quite know how to react to it; you see, the track feels familiar, yet also futuristic. It holds a certain jungly character, a chaotic flair that sits between the ‘90s and the noughties, but it’s not dated; it still feels fresh and timely.
There’s a reason why the influences behind ‘If I Be Damned’ have such a far-reaching origin: Andy Mclaughlan has been around for a while, and we suspect he’s been listening to a whole lot of alternative-leaning records back in the day. Hailing from Glasgow, the talented Scottish singer-songwriter appears to have struck the perfect balance between heartwarming cinematic punch and wholesome songwriting, a marriage of intents that’s in full display on his latest piece. To note, this also marks quite an important milestone for the project, with Andy now fully producing his own material.
As it goes, ‘If I Be Damned’ comes from a place of deep personal vulnerability and subsequent resilience. As Mclaughlan explains: “If I Be Damned is the 30,000-foot view of growing up through chaos, failed ventures, broken relationships, addiction, loss, and constant reinvention, and using those experiences as fuel rather than weight. It’s about redemption, resilience, and the fire that pushes us forward.” Andy channels chaos into musical order, doing so with relatable flair.
Recommended! Discover ‘If I Be Damned’ now: